Niko woke up to the pungent smell of fish mixed with salty sea air, creating an oddly calming atmosphere. He gazed out at the vast expanse of water, the thought of being a fugitive hitting him like a punch in the gut.
His escape from Singapore had been distressing, but now, on the fishing boat, he allowed himself a moment of respite. The crew, grizzled fishermen who barely spoke a word of English, ignored him for the most part, focusing on their tasks. Niko appreciated their indifference; it gave him the space to gather his thoughts and plan his next steps. But another part of him wished for some human interaction, someone to confide in. He couldn't shake off the feeling of being alone and lost amidst the endless ocean.
With a sigh, he pulled out his phone, carefully shielded from any potential tracking. He accessed a secure network that Priya had set up for him and began reading the fabricated stories online.
The media was awash with headlines painting him as a villain.
“Former CEO Tesic Implicated in Mysterious Death of Founder Thomas Edmundsson,” “Tesic on the Run: A Fugitive Scientist’s Fall from Grace,” and “Dark Secrets of NAPPA Inc. Unveiled.”
The social media feeds were even worse, filled with vitriol and wild speculation. People whom he had never met were condemning him, dissecting his life and motives with a ferocity that left him reeling. He knew that public opinion was easily swayed, but seeing the extent of the misinformation campaign against him was both disheartening and infuriating.
As the boat approached the Indonesian coast, Niko braced himself for the next phase of his journey.
The fishermen dropped him off at a secluded spot near Cliegon, and he offered them a grateful nod before disappearing into the dense foliage. He knew he had to keep moving, to stay one step ahead of those who hunted him.
Indonesia was a world away from the sleek, sterile modernity of Singapore. The streets of Jakarta were chaotic, dirty, and crowded, filled with stray animals and an overwhelming blend of odors. Niko found solace in the anonymity that the vibrant city provided. He blended in with the crowd, just another face among millions, making his way through the labyrinthine alleys and bustling markets.
Priya’s messages were his lifeline. She guided him to safe houses hidden in the poorest parts of the city, where he could disappear for a while. Each location was more dilapidated than the last, with crumbling walls and makeshift roofs barely holding off the relentless heat and humidity. But Niko didn't care about comfort. All that mattered was staying hidden and alive long enough to complete his mission.
Living day-to-day, Niko had to be resourceful. He paid for shelter, food, and essentials either with cryptocurrency or with the dwindling pile of cash Priya had managed to give him. The local warungs, small family-run food stalls, provided cheap meals of rice and satay, allowing him to stretch his funds. He avoided larger establishments and kept his head down, knowing that any misstep could lead NAPPA’s operatives right to him.
But even in this chaos, Priya remained his lifeline. Her underground network of contacts and safe houses were his only hope against capture. How she managed to maintain such a dangerous operation was a mystery to him, but he knew better than to question her loyalty. Niko couldn't help but admire her determination, knowing that she risked everything just to keep him out of harm's way. Niko spent his days weaving through the throngs of people, always alert, always moving. Every night, as the city settled into a restless slumber, he would find a quiet corner and read the latest messages from Priya. Her messages were usually brief, filled with instructions and updates, but they were a beacon of hope in his otherwise grim existence. However, the constant state of alertness took its toll on him, and he struggled to adapt to his new life.
The isolation and fear of the past weeks had taken their toll on Niko's mental state. He passed the hours in the different bars of Glodok, Jakarta's Chinatown, drowning his sorrows in alcohol and wallowing in depression and self-pity. Just when he thought he couldn't bear it any longer,he would receive a message that rekindled his spirit.
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“I managed to speak to your family. They said they love you and believe in you.”
Tears welled up in Niko’s eyes as he read the words. The thought of his family’s unwavering support gave him a renewed sense of purpose. He knew he couldn't give up – not just for himself, but for them too.
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Ryan stood at the head of the conference room, his hands clenched tightly behind his back as he watched NAPPA's top executives trickle in with grim expressions. Some of them were people he had known and worked with for years; Meyer, Kuryakov, and Priya. But today, they seemed different - tense, almost afraid.
No wonder, Ryan thought. We are facing difficult times.
The tension in the conference room was palpable as he began to speak.
“Dear colleagues, let me get to the point straight away. The company is facing a dire situation,,” he started, his voice firm. It was important to exude confidence. “Our former colleague Mr. Tesic has been implicated in a serious crime..”
“Mr. Tesic?” Kuryakov blurted out with anger in his eyes. “Surely you mean our friend and colleague Niko?”
Already an interjection. Ryan's jaw clenched, but he kept his tone measured. “Unfortunately, Mr. Tesic is not who we thought he was. I am, of course, as shocked as you are. I spoke to the police earlier today, and the evidence against him is overwhelming. We must cooperate fully with law enforcement to find him and bring him to justice. I ask all of you to collaborate. Our company’s reputation is at stake.”
Kuryakov, his face still flushed with rage, couldn’t hold back. “You can't seriously believe this, Ryan! Niko is innocent and you know it! This is a setup!”
Ryan narrowed his eyes as he turned to Kuryakov, his frustration barely contained. Before he could respond, however, General Meyer's authoritative voice cut through the tension like a knife.
“Your loyalty is commendable, Anatoly, but it is misguided. The evidence against Mr. Tesic is irrefutable, and we cannot afford to be seen protecting a fugitive. Your attitude is detrimental to the core values of NAPPA, and the accusations you are making are dangerous, to say the least.”
Ryan seized the moment, his voice steady and unwavering. “Anatoly, we cannot tolerate this kind of behavior within the company, especially at a time like this. Your stance is a liability to our integrity and mission. Please pack your things and leave.”
As realization dawned on Kuryakov, his eyes widened in disbelief. “You must be joking, Ryan. You’re turning your back on the truth and on someone who’s been nothing but loyal to this company?”
Ryan maintained his composure, though a flicker of unease crossed his features. “This is not about loyalty, Anatoly. It’s about the future of NAPPA and the lives that depend on our work. We cannot afford to be associated with someone accused of such serious crimes.”
General Meyer nodded in agreement, her gaze cold and unyielding. “Your departure will be swift and quiet, Anatoly. Any further disruptions will not be tolerated.”
The room fell silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone present.
Kuryakov stood there, his mind racing, searching the faces of his colleagues for any sign of support. In a last desperate attempt, he turned to Priya, hoping for some form of understanding or sympathy. Yet even she remained stone-faced and unmoving. Realizing he was alone in his protest, he took a deep breath. Without another word, he packed his belongings in haste, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the tense silence as he left the room.
Ryan turned his attention back to the others. “Anybody else have anything they want to share with the group?” He smiled assuringly. “No? I thought so.”
Priya, clenching her fists under the table, fought to maintain her composure. She wanted to defend Niko, to speak up, but she knew it would jeopardize her position and, potentially, Niko’s, as well.
“Now, let’s continue. We need to concentrate on damage control. We will reach out to our government and media contacts to shift the narrative. We must emphasize our ongoing innovations and the positive impact of our technology. The goal is to drown out the negative press with a surge of optimism and progress. Lastly, we must make sure the public understands our full commitment to catching Professor Tesic and putting an end to this.”
General Meyer, sipping a cup of coffee, nodded in agreement. “We need to act swiftly and decisively. The public must see us as a beacon of hope and advancement, not as a company embroiled in scandal.”
After further discussions about strategies to restore NAPPA’s image, the meeting drew to a close.
Priya couldn't help but feel disillusioned. She had noted the ruthless efficiency with which Ryan had orchestrated their plans. He was determined to protect his empire at any cost.
She looked around the room, at the faces of her colleagues, people she had once admired and trusted. The company she had believed in, the people she had considered allies, all seemed alien to her now.